Vacuum cleaner attachment coupling with spring biased latch means



www TW Oct. 6, 1959 E D. THORNWALD 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 .Zwaan or Oct. 6,1959 E. D. 'rHoRNwALD 2,907,538

VACUUM CLEANER ATTACHMENT COUPLING WITH SPRING BIASED LATCH MEANSOriginal Filed June 10, 1949 3 Sheets-$heet 2 Oct- 6, 1959 E. D.THoRNwALD VACUUM CLEANER ATTACHMENT CCUPLINC WITH SPRING BIASED LATCHMEANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filled June 10,

INVENToR. libere!! Thor/naald Farrer Caffe? .zfofneys United StatesPatent mee Patented O'ct. 6, 1959 .VACUUM CLEANER ATTACHMENT COUPLINGWITH SPRING BIASED LATCH MEANS' Everett D. Thornwald, Glenview, Ill.,assigner to Clements Mfg. Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of IllinoisOriginal appiication June 10, 1949, Serial No. 98,296,

now Patent No. 2,708,766, dated May 24, 1955. Divided and thisapplication February 8, 1955, Serial No. 486,824 i i 1 claim. (cl. 28s-7) Another purpose is to provide a dusting tool adapter which, wheninserted in operative position, is effective also to remove the fan beltfrom the motor pulley which normally drives it.

Another purpose of the present invention isv the provision of an adaptertool for vacuum cleaners in which the tool is inserted into the cleanerand removed from the cleaner by a simple rectilinear movement.

. Other purposes will appear from time to time in the course of theensuing specification and claim.

The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section;

Figure 2 is a partial vertical longitudinal section with the dustingtool adapter in place;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the adapter tool structure,` on asomewhat enlarged scale, and with parts broken away and lwith parts insection;

Figure 4 is a plan View of the ladapter structure shown `in Figure 2;and i Figure 5 is a side elevation of the adapter tool structure shownin Figure 4.

This is a division of my co-pending application Ser. No. 98,296 led June10, 1949, now Patent No. 2,708,766.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specificationand drawings.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates any suitable supporting surfacesuch as a oor, rug or carpet. A generally indicates the forward portionor housing of a Vacuum cleaner. It includes a forwardly and downwardlyinclined upper wall Z and a forwardly and downwardly inclined lower wall3, the walls being suitably connected at their sides and terminating atthe oor nozzle portion 4. The vacuum cleaner housing has a rear portion5 which defines` lan outlet passage 6. 7 indicates a motor housing inwhich is positioned any suitable motor 8, the details of which do not ofthemselves form part of the present invention. The motor housing isclosed at its upper end by a closure plate 9 through which eX* tends amotor shaft 10. Positioned on an upper part 10a of the shaft is the fanbody generally indicated as 11 and having any suitable fan blades 12.The upward continuation of the housing wall 3 is apertured as at 13 toprovide an air inlet to `the chamber formed by any suitable downwardlyextending circumferential wall 14. 15 is any suitable housing or wallportion to which the plate 9 and the motor housing 7 may suitably besecured.

It will be understood that in response to rotation of the rotor of themotor 8, the motor shaft 10a is rotated and thus the fan 11, 12. Theresult is an iniow of air through the aperture 4a of the lioor nozzle 4,air owing upwardly and rearwardly to the air inlet or suction inlet 13of the fan chamber. The air is` exhausted or discharged from the fanchamber `or scroll through the outlet .duct 6. It will be understoodthat any suitable receiving means, bag or duct may be employed toreceive the dirty air delivered through the outlet passage 6. Sincesuch' a bag or container or passage does not of itself form part of thepresent invention, it is not illustrated herein. The actual air passagebetween the licor nozzle inlet 4a andthe fan suction inlet 13 may beformed in part by anV inner top plate 16. This plate is shown as havingIa normally closed air inlet 17. A preferably removable outer plate 18overlies the rear portion of the cover plate 16 and is provided with anormally closed air inlet aperture 19. It will be understood that in`the normal use of the device, a hinged or removable closure plate 20 isemployedwhich carries an inner bracket 21 to which is movably securedthe inner closure plate 22 mounted 'for limited movement upon thepositioning'and guiding `elements 23. The plate 2li may be hinged as at24, for ready removal. It will be understood that when the parts are inthe position in which they are shownin Fig. 1, the plate 20 somewhatloosely closes the inlet 19, whereas the plate 22 very snugly closes theair inlet 17. `To prevent any substantial leakage, it may have -ayielding packing ring or gasket 25. lt will be understood that when thefan 11, 12 is rotating, the suction is effective to draw the plate 22downwardly along the limiting guides 23 as far as the gasket 25 willpermit. The result is a simple structure which eiciently prevents anydamaging degree of air leakage through the aperture 17. h

Suitably journalled or mounted in the nozzle 4 is a brush generallyindicated as 30. The brush structure is not shown in detail, as it doesnot of itself form part of the present invention. It preferably includesa driven pulley 31 about which passes a belt 32 or suitable material,the belt 32 passing about and driving pulley 33, which may be contoured,as shown in Figure l, to resemble two inwardly converging truncatedcones. The pulley 33 may be mounted on any suitable extension ltlb ofthe motor shaft 10i. Surrounding extension 10b is a iixed conicabutment' 34 which may be conveniently contoured as a continuingextension of the lower cone of the pulley 33. It includes also outwardlyextending bottom limiting portions 35 and may be supported in lixedposition by cross pieces 36 which extend to and may form part of thecleaner wall 3.

it will be understood that the cleaner housing may be supported by anysuitable means, but front supporting rollers 40 and rear supportingrollers 41 are indicated. ln the normal use `of the device, when theoperator is merely moving the cleaner over a floor surface, the closures20 and '22 remain in the full line position in which they are shown inFig. l. The belt 32 passes about the pulleys 31 and 33. The rotation ofthe motor simultaneously operates the fan 11, 12 and the brush 3i).`Thus, the brush brushes the surface undergoing cleaning Vand the dustparticles are drawn with the in flowing air upwardly through the nozzleaperture 4a upwardly and rearwardly between the walls 3 and 16 anddownwardly through the fan chamber inlet 13 for escape through theexhaust duct 6.

It is important to provide an adequate connection between dusting toolsand the Vacuum cleaner, as where the user wishes to clean walls,furniture, drapes and the like. VIt is important, however, that when aVdusting tool adapter` is used, the operator is able to leave thecleaner on the loor in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 1, butif the brush is allowed to continue its rotation during the use of thedusting tool, it is then necessary either to turn' the'housing over orto `elevate it in such fashion that the brush will not engage thesurface over which the cleaner is placed. A purpose of the presentinvention is to provide an adequate and eflicient dusting tool adapterwhich may be .easily and quickly inserted by a simple rectilinearmovement along the axis of the fan and motor. This `single movementbeing all that is required Aboth to insert the adapter and to remove thebelt from its normal driving relationship with the motor pulley. Thedusting tool adapter herein show n adequately performs the abovedescribed functions.

The adapter includes three main elements, namely: the adapter sleeve ortubular portion 45, the actuating handle 60 and the swivelled toolconnection generally indicated as 70. Considering lirst the tubularmember 45, -it may be generally cylindrical and is provided with akeyway orv slot 46 which engages a key 3b in the upwardly extendingarcuate wall 3a, and thus limits the sleeve 45 to rectilinear movementtoward and from the inlet aperture 13. It also insures that the notch 47of the lower edge of the sleeve 45 is properly positioned to engage andsurround the adjacent portions of the belt 32. The sleeve 45 alsocarries a plurality of spring latches 48, each of which has an inwardlyextending cam portion 49 and an outwardly extending latch portion 50which extends outwardly throulgh a suitable aperture 51 and is providedalso with a downwardly extending limit end 52. The spring latches 48will over-ride the edges of the wall 16 which surround the aperture 17,when the adapter is moved toward the position in which it is shown inFig. 2. After the latch portions have over-ridden the edges of the wall16, they move yieldingly into the latching position in which they areshown in Fig. 3. Thereby, any unintended retrograde movement of thesleeve 45 is prevented.

As will be clear from Fig. 2, the sleeve actually bends the belt 32 outof its normal alignment. The part of the belt 32 which actually normallyengages the pulley 33 is moved from the pulley into the position inwhich it is shown in Figure 2. This result is obtained by thrust fingers53 which are preferably of spring stock and which may be mounted on anysuitable cross structure 54 which is secured to and moves unitarily withthe sleeve 45. The

. spring fingers 53 may have preloading lingers 54a which limit theirinward movement. The lingers 53 also have outwardly inclined lower endportions 55. Thus, when the adapter sleeve 45 is moved toward and intothe position in which it is shown in Figure 2, one result is 1 they areshown in Fig. 3.

while being held against longitudinal movement along the axis of thesleeve 45. Thus the operator, leaving the vacuum cleaner in a xedposition in a room, can work from it, as from a fixed base, and cleanwalls and furniture within a substantial radius. Of course the tool mayalso be moved readily along the floor, but constant movement is notnecessary.

In order Yto insert and remove the dusting tool adapter, there isprovided the handle element generally indicated as 60. It is shown asincluding opposite outward handle extensions 6l, formed and adapted forready manipulation. Its upper side is circumferentially apertured as at62, in line with the outer sleeve 73 of the hose connection. It will beunderstood that the bottom of the channel 62 limits the upward movementof the handle 60, referring to the parts as shown in Fig. 3, while theshoulder 56 limits the downward movement of the handle 60. Extendingdownward from the handle 60 are latch release fingers 63. These extenddownwardly through thev shoulder 56 of the sleeve 45 and terminate inend hooks or offsets or loops 64 which are opposed to the cam surfaces49 of the spring latches 48. It will be understood that when the user isurging the sleeve toward the position in which it is shown in Fig. 2,the handle 60 actually engages and thrusts against the shoulder 56. Thesprings 48, and their cam portions 49, are elfective normally to holdthe release elements 63 in the position in which The user simply pushesthe sleeve 45 rectilinearly into place as soon as Vhe has engaged theslot 46 with the guiding lug 47. When the latches have snapped over theedges of the aperture 17 and are in latching position beneath the wall16, the

- operator releases the handle 60 and the dusting tool is that the lowerends of the fingers over-ride or extend p outwardly from the upper edgeof the pulley 33 and engage the belt 32. The belt 32 is thereby movedout of contact with the constantly rotating pulley 13 and is movedagainst and held against the iixed supporting abutment 34, 35. Since theconic abutment 34 constitutes a continuation of the conic `surface ofthe pulley 33, there is no resistance except the elasticity of the belt32 itself. However, the belt, after it has moved out around the fixedcone 34, abuts against the transverse portion 35 and is held firmly inposition out of contact with the rotating pulley 33, until the dustingtool adapter is again removed. v

The sleeve 45 has an inwardly extending portion 56 which terminates inan upwardly extending portion sleeve 57 of reduced diameter. Thisportion 57 is also provided with a circumferential slot 58. Surroundingthe portion 57 is the tubular inner end 71 of the hose connection 70.Any suitable means are provided for relative axial movement of thesleeve 57 and the surrounding hose connection sleeve 71. For example,any suitable penetrating element 72 may be mounted on or secured to thesleeve 71, it being formed and adapted to enter the circumferentialchannel 58. 'Ihe Vhose connection also includes an outer sleeve 73 whichterminates as at `74 in a plane perpendicular to the fan and motor axisandV substantially spaced from the inwardly extending sleeve portion orshoulder 56. It will be understood, however, that the hose connectionswivels freelyinrelation to the sleeve 45 ready for use. When theoperator again Wishes to remove the dusting tool adapter, all that hehas to do is to grasp the handle 60 or its portion 61 and pull outwardlyalong the axis of the motor. Referring to the position of the parts inFig. 3, the handle 60 moves from the full line position to the dottedline position. In the course of this movement, the release rods 63,through their lower end 64, cam the spring latches 48 inwardlysuliiciently so that the latching ends 50 clear the edges of theaperture 17 in the wall 16. 'Ihe operator simply continues his upwardpull on the handle 60 and withdraws the now released sleeve 45. As amatter of fact, under many conditions the tension on the belt 32, aswill be clear from Fig. 2, is considerable. It may be sufficientactually to expel the sleeve 45. In any event, it assists and hastensits upward withdrawal. The operator thereafter returns the closure 20 tothe position in which it is shown in Fig. l and the device is ready foruse as a floor cleaner.

It will be understood that the inclination or conicity of the fixedsupport 34 is sufficient so that there isl no tendency of the belt 32 toremain in the position of Fig. 2. lt promptly snaps back into theposition of Fig. l, and the brush is thereafter directly driven from themotor.

lt will be realized that whereas there has been shown a practical andoperative device, nevertheless, many changes may be made in size, shape,number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of theinvention. It is, therefore, wished that the description and drawings betaken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammatic rather than aslimiting the invention to the speciiic details herein set out.

The use and operation of the invention are as follows:

The structure herein described and shown provides` a compact andeliicient lioor engaging and floor supported vacuum cleaner whichpenetrates readily into corners and beneath furniture, having arelatively small overall height. It also includes a highly advantageousdusting tool adapter provision.

The lvacuum cleaner will be seen to include a motor having a forwardlyand upwardly inclined axis. This motor is *housedV within the motorhousing 7, the bottom of which is not far above the floor surface. Thefan and fan chamber lare located above the motor. The suction inlet 13to the fan chamber is in the upper wall of the fan chamber. The housingis downwardly and forwardly inclined toward the oor nozzle with an airpassage which `extends upwardly and rearwardly from the liloor nozzle 4to the fan chamber suction inlet 13. It is a matter of an instant or twowhen the operator wishes to connect the machine to dusting tool use, toflip the cover plate 20 into the open position and to insert theconverter or adapter'sleeve 45 into position. A single movement of theadapter sleeve simultaneously makes an adequate connection between thetool and the fan chamber, seals off the connection between the Hoornozzle and the fan chamber and removes the brush belt from the motorpulley. `A single movement in the opposite direction releases the`spring latches which hold the adapter in place, withdraws the adapter,and releases the belt to its original position on the pulley 33. Theoperator then merely flips the closure 20 back into the position of Fig.1, and the vacuum cleaner is again ready for `floor use.

It will be understood ythat the adapter herein shown can be insertedwhile the cleaner is in operation and the motor rotating. However, thisis not a recommended practice and it is preferable that the operatorswitch oli the motor while making the insertion.

I claim:

In -an adapter for vacuum cleaners, a tubular duct insert, 'a latchmounted on said insert and adapted for 6 latching engagement with thevacuum cleaner to which the adapter is applied, a handle mounted forlimited movement along the insert, a hose connection on the insert, ashoulder on the insert for limiting the movement of the handle along theinsert toward the vacuum cleaner into which the insert is beinginserted, whereby the handle is adapted positively to thrust the inserttoward operative position, a latching release finger on the handle andextending .through said shoulder, said finger having a hook adapted torelease the latch in response to retrograde movement of the handle fromthe vacuum cleaner and along the insert, and a limiting connectionbetween the handle and the insert adapted to end their relative movementafter a predetermined retrograde movement of the handle, whereby thehandle is adapted positively to withdraw the insert from the vacuumcleaner after release of said latch.

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